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Is Carbide Stronger Than Steel?

is carbide harder than steel

When comparing materials like carbide and steel, the concept of “strength” can refer to different properties such as hardness, tensile strength, toughness, and impact resistance. These properties determine how well a material performs under various conditions and in different applications. In this comprehensive analysis, we’ll explore the differences between carbide and steel in terms of their composition, hardness, strength, toughness, and practical uses

Table of Contents

Understanding Hardness

Hardness is a material’s ability to resist deformation, scratching, or wear. It is a critical factor in determining a material’s durability in applications where surfaces are subjected to friction or impact.

  • Carbide: Tungsten carbide, a compound of tungsten and carbon, is one of the hardest materials used in industrial applications. It typically ranks between 9 and 9.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness, just below diamond, which is the hardest material known. This high hardness gives carbide exceptional wear resistance, making it ideal for cutting tools and abrasive applications .

  • Steel: Steel’s hardness varies depending on its composition and heat treatment. High-carbon and alloy steels can reach a hardness of around 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale. However, even the hardest steels generally cannot match the hardness of carbide. Processes like quenching and tempering can enhance steel’s hardness, but it still remains more malleable than carbide .

Conclusion on Hardness: Carbide is harder than steel. Its superior hardness makes it more resistant to wear and abrasion, which is why carbide is favored in applications requiring extreme durability and a sharp edge.

Composition and Types of Carbide and Steel

Carbide
  • Composition: Tungsten carbide is a ceramic material composed primarily of tungsten and carbon atoms. It is often bonded with a metal binder, typically cobalt, to enhance its toughness.
  • Grades: Carbide comes in various grades based on the tungsten-to-carbon ratio and the amount of binder used.
    • C1 to C4 Grades: These are commonly used in cutting tools, with C1 offering more toughness and C4 providing maximum hardness .
    • Micrograin Carbides: These carbides have smaller grain sizes, offering a balance of hardness and toughness, ideal for precision tools .

Steel

  • Composition: Steel is an alloy primarily of iron and carbon, with the carbon content typically ranging from 0.02% to 2.14%. Other elements like chromium, nickel, and molybdenum may be added to enhance specific properties.
  • Grades:
    • Carbon Steel: Includes low, medium, and high carbon steels. High-carbon steel, like 1095 steel, is harder but less ductile.
    • Alloy Steel: Contains additional elements to improve properties such as toughness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. AISI 4140 steel is an example, known for its strength and impact resistance.
    • Stainless Steel: Contains chromium to resist corrosion. Grades like 440C are also known for their hardness .
    • Tool Steel: Designed for making tools, these steels are heat-treated to enhance hardness and wear resistance. D2 steel is a popular high-carbon, high-chromium tool steel.

Tensile Strength and Toughness

Tensile Strength refers to the maximum stress a material can withstand while being stretched or pulled before breaking.

  • Carbide: Tungsten carbide has high compressive strength but relatively low tensile strength compared to steel. Its ceramic nature makes it more prone to breaking under tensile stress because it is brittle .
  • Steel: Steel, being a metal, has a much higher tensile strength. It can stretch and deform under stress without breaking, which is why it’s commonly used in structural applications.

Toughness is the ability of a material to absorb energy and deform without fracturing.

  • Carbide: Despite its hardness, carbide is not tough. It’s brittle, meaning it can shatter or crack under high impact or stress .
  • Steel: Steel is much tougher than carbide. It can absorb significant energy before breaking, making it ideal for applications where shock absorption is important.

Conclusion on Tensile Strength and Toughness: Steel is stronger than carbide in terms of tensile strength and toughness. It is better suited for applications where the material needs to withstand impacts or high stress without fracturing.

Compressive Strength and Impact Resistance

Compressive Strength is the capacity of a material to withstand loads that reduce its size.

  • Carbide: Tungsten carbide has extremely high compressive strength, making it ideal for applications involving high pressures and wear, such as industrial dies and cutting tool tips .
  • Steel: While steel also possesses good compressive strength, it does not reach the levels seen in carbide. However, its ability to deform under load without fracturing makes it versatile for many applications.

Impact Resistance refers to the material’s ability to resist fracture under a sudden force or shock.

  • Carbide: Due to its brittleness, carbide has low impact resistance. It can easily crack or shatter if subjected to a strong impact .
  • Steel: Steel, particularly low-carbon and alloy steels, has excellent impact resistance. It can absorb and dissipate energy from impacts, making it suitable for dynamic loads.

Conclusion on Compressive Strength and Impact Resistance: Carbide is stronger in compressive strength, making it ideal for wear-resistant applications. Steel is stronger in impact resistance, making it better for applications that involve shocks and dynamic loads.

Practical Applications and Limitations

Carbide

  • Applications: Used extensively in cutting tools (e.g., drill bits, milling cutters), abrasives, and wear-resistant parts (e.g., valve seats, bearings). Carbide’s high hardness and wear resistance make it perfect for these applications, but its brittleness limits its use in situations where impact resistance is critical .
  • Limitations: Carbide is brittle and can break or shatter under high stress or impact. Its lack of ductility means it’s not suitable for structural applications where the material might need to absorb shocks or deform under load.

Steel

  • Applications: Widely used in construction (e.g., beams, reinforcements), automotive parts (e.g., frames, engines), and cutting tools where a balance of hardness and toughness is required. Steel’s versatility comes from its ability to be alloyed and heat-treated to achieve the desired properties for specific applications .
  • Limitations: While steel can be hardened to resist wear, it cannot achieve the same level of hardness as carbide. It also requires careful selection and treatment to ensure it has the right balance of properties for the intended use.

Conclusion

So, is carbide stronger than steel? The answer depends on what you mean by “stronger”:

  • Hardness: Carbide is stronger.
  • Tensile Strength: Steel is stronger.
  • Toughness: Steel is stronger.
  • Compressive Strength: Carbide is stronger.
  • Impact Resistance: Steel is stronger.

In summary, carbide excels in hardness and compressive strength, making it ideal for applications requiring extreme wear resistance and precision cutting. However, its brittleness limits its use in scenarios involving impact or dynamic stress. Steel, on the other hand, offers a balance of hardness, toughness, tensile strength, and impact resistance, making it a versatile material for a wide range of industrial, structural, and tool-making applications. The choice between carbide and steel should be guided by the specific demands of the application, ensuring the material selected will perform optimally under the expected conditions.

Interested in Selling Carbide Scrap?

 If you have carbide scrap lying around, whether from used tools, industrial processes, or manufacturing, don’t let it go to waste. At Carbide Scrap Buyers, we specialize in buying and recycling carbide scrap across India. We offer competitive prices and a seamless process to help you turn your scrap into cash.

Visit Carbide Scrap Buyers today to learn more about how you can sell your carbide scrap online quickly and easily. Whether you’re an individual, a small business, or a large industrial operation, we’re here to help you get the best value for your scrap while contributing to sustainable recycling practices.

Don’t let your carbide scrap sit idle—turn it into profit today!

References:

  1. “Tungsten Carbide – Hardness – Elastic Modulus – Strength.” Material Properties. Link.
  2. “Hardness and Wear Resistance of Steel.” AZoM – The A to Z of Materials. Link.
  3. “Grades of Carbide.” Carbide Depot. Link.
  4. “Micrograin Carbide and Its Uses.” Total Carbide. Link.
  5. “Stainless Steel Grades and Properties.” AZoM – The A to Z of Materials. Link.
  6. “Tensile Properties of Tungsten Carbide.” ResearchGate. Link.

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